Daily Digest — April 18, 2026
Maine's First-in-Nation Data Center Moratorium Awaits Governor's Decision
The Maine Legislature has passed the first statewide moratorium on large data center construction in the United States, according to multiple reports. The measure would halt approvals for any new data center requiring over 20 megawatts of power until at least October 2027. The legislation also establishes a state council to evaluate policy tools and provide strategic guidance on data center development.
The bill now sits with Democratic Governor Janet Mills, who must sign it into law or issue a veto. As reported by Arkadelphian.com, the moratorium comes as a new report from Good Jobs First finds that 14 U.S. states do not disclose how much tax revenue they forfeit through data center incentives, while states like Georgia, Virginia, and Texas report annual losses exceeding $1 billion.
Separately, at the federal level, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have proposed the AI Data Center Moratorium Act, which would pause development of new AI data centers nationally, according to 13wham.com.
Satellite Data Shows Nearly 40% of US Data Center Projects Face Delays
Satellite and drone imagery analyzed by SynMax and IIR Energy indicates that nearly 40 percent of U.S. data center projects scheduled for completion this year may miss their deadlines by more than three months, according to Ars Technica. Companies affected include Microsoft, Oracle, and OpenAI.
Industry executives cite several factors:
- Chronic shortages of skilled tradespeople, particularly electricians
- Power generation and infrastructure bottlenecks
- Equipment scarcity, exacerbated by tariffs on imported Chinese equipment
- Slow permit acquisition processes
A new Pew Research Center analysis, cited by The National Desk, finds over 1,500 data center facilities currently in development, with 67% planned for rural areas — a notable shift from the existing landscape, where 87% of operational centers are in urban locations. Virginia, Texas, and Georgia lead in planned developments.
Hutto, TX: Developer Withdraws Data Center Rezoning After Community Opposition
Zydeco Development has withdrawn its rezoning request for a proposed AI data center at 450 Ed Schmidt Blvd. in Hutto, Texas, effectively halting the project, according to KEYE and KVUE. A special Planning and Zoning Commission meeting scheduled for April 20 has been canceled.
The developer had sought to rezone the 40-acre parcel from multi-family residential to heavy industrial. Hutto's Director of Development Services, Howard Koontz, had formally recommended against the proposal on April 7, stating it was inconsistent with the city's Future Land Use Map and its SOAR 2040 Comprehensive Plan. As reported by CBS Austin, residents had organized through a grassroots group called Stop The Hutto Data Center and were collecting signatures to trigger a state law requiring a supermajority council vote for approval.
Hutto residents file a legal protest against development of the Zydeco Data Center
CBS Austin
Developer withdraws Hutto rezoning request
Taylor Press
Developer withdraws proposed data center rezoning in Hutto after community pushback
KEYE
Developer behind proposed data center withdraws rezoning request in Hutto
KVUE
Hutto's controversial data center project has been pulled
The Business Journals
Temple, TX: Council Approves Third Rowan Data Center; Recall Effort Launched
The Temple City Council voted 4-0-1 to approve Rowan Ranger, the third data center project by Rowan Digital Infrastructure, following a nearly eight-hour meeting, according to the Killeen Daily Herald. Council member Zoe Grant abstained, citing a potential conflict of interest. Approximately 150 residents attended to voice opposition.
The approval includes:
- Annexation of 185 acres and rezoning of 302 acres
- A 10-year, 50% tax abatement after construction
- A minimum investment of $2.1 billion, with projected property tax revenue of at least $8.4 million during the abatement period
- Creation of 120 jobs
Rowan representatives described a closed-loop water cooling system requiring an initial 2.5 million gallons of city water and a trucked-in glycol-water mixture. Residents raised concerns about water usage, environmental impact, and the absence of mandatory environmental impact studies, as reported by LoneStar 92.3.
Following the vote, opposition leaders Sarah and Joe Royer announced plans to organize a recall petition against Mayor Tim Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Jessica Walker, and Council member Mike Pilkington, according to KCEN.
Temple approves third Rowan data center at nearly 8-hour meeting; recall planned
The Killeen Daily Herald
Temple approves third Rowan data center at nearly 8-hour meeting, recall planned
Temple Daily Telegram
Data Center Defiance: Temple Residents Vow Recalls After 4-0 Council Vote
LoneStar 92.3
Temple residents working to recall officials over proposed data center
KCENNews
Temple City Council approves new data center
KCENNews
Festus, MO: New Anti-Data Center Council Members Sworn In; Lawsuit Proceeds
Four newly elected Festus City Council members — all of whom campaigned against a proposed $6 billion hyperscale data center by CRG — were sworn in this week, according to Leader Publications. Separately, Council member Staci Templeton resigned Saturday, as reported by STLPR.
A lawsuit filed April 8 in St. Louis County Circuit Court by Wake Up Jeffco LLC and four property owners seeks to:
- Invalidate the council's November 2025 vote to rezone seven parcels to I-1 industrial
- Invalidate the infrastructure development agreement with CRG
- Restore prior residential or non-urban zoning designations
The suit alleges unlawful spot zoning, violations of state statutes regarding public meetings, failure to provide proper notice, and civil conspiracy. Both the City of Festus and CRG maintain all legal requirements were met. The case has been assigned to Judge Ellen W. Dunne, with no hearings scheduled yet.
West Rockhill Township, PA: Supervisors Adopt Data Center Zoning Ordinance
West Rockhill Township supervisors unanimously approved a new zoning ordinance regulating data centers, limiting them to planned industrial zones along State Road, according to PhillyBurbs. The ordinance was prompted by an informal sketch plan received six months ago for a potential data center on Cathill Road in Sellersville.
Key provisions include:
- Minimum site area of 25 acres
- Height restriction of 35 feet
- Mandatory on-site solar power generation
- Required public water and sewer services
- Infrastructure improvement mandates
Over 100 residents protested ahead of the April 15 hearing, raising concerns about water usage, contamination, power consumption, rate increases, and loss of open space, as reported by The Reporter. Township solicitor David Keightly noted that no formal data center applications have been submitted and that state law prevents a full prohibition. Supervisors directed the solicitor to prepare further amendments incorporating public comments and planning commission recommendations for introduction at the May 20 meeting.
